Mothers Day Message

Today was a great Mommy’s Day for me.  Bradley told me “Happy Mothers Day!” and gave me the face grabbing kind of kiss all while I was still in bed this morning.  Those are the best! He is three so I did have to tell him that it was Mothers Day and he needed to say it to me…haha!  Teaching him young to appreciate me!  Then we were off to church for the 9am service.  That was my Mothers Day treat to myself.   The message was about Family which is what I wanted to share. Lets start with….

F un.  Families should be fun.  John 10:10 says “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” and Proverbs 17:22 says “A cheerful heart is good medicine….”  No matter how  many toys our children have they will always be bored and desire our time.  So, take these cues and have fun with them instead of leaving it up to the toys.  Slowdown, schedule a game night, do the unexpected and plan surprises.  I think at times I can be very good at this.  When I don't want to do housework I will play with my boys several times throughout the day and the unexpected is easy with Bradley.  Its hard to say No when he wants my help to fight off dragons or pretend to be chased by bears.  If you could see the things I do some days and I never thought I would be doing them!

A ttention.  Healthy families give attention to each other.  Philippians 2:2-4  “ then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests but to the interests of others.”   Listen to each others wants and desires and follow through with them.  This simply means don't be selfish.  As moms we naturally feel like we put ourselves on the backburners for our children but remember to do this with your spouse and all your extended family.  Show them attention and you will get it back ten fold. 

M emories.  Deuteronomy 4:9 says “ Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you don't forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live.  Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”  This made me feel good about how consumed I can be with pictures, this blog or my Project life book.  Twenty years from now I will be needing that reminder and to see the memory of the boys playing together so it doesn't slip from my heart as this verse says.   Ways to create memories could be to celebrate victories, go on vacations, return to memorable locations or write love letters to your children or spouse and save them.  Brad and I actually do a Post-It note Love Letter system when he’s home. 

I nspire.  Matthew 12:25 says “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.”  Edify your family and lift them up in praise.  Reward good behavior and weigh your words.  Especially try to encourage your children and spouse in front of each other.   The point to this one that I realized I do is sometimes I say “Bradley is being a stinker” in front of him.  Well, one day he may just feel he does stink or isn't good enough after i say it so many times not thinking.  Instead if he is acting that way I should say “He's not having a great day but he is a wonderful boy!”  Always deposit positivity into their little spirits and store up things they will cherish in their life banks. 

L ove.  John 13: 34 says  “A new command I give you.  Love one another.  As I (Jesus) have loved you, so you must love one another.”   I don't think you can ever say I love you too many times but Love is so much more than words.  Remember to show it though your actions and respecting others shows love.  Raising my children to respect me and Brad will speak “I love you” a thousand times over. 

Y ield.  Yield to God.  Deuteronomy 6: 5-7 says “ Love the lord God with all your heart and all your souls and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”  Yielding means simply to surrender or submit.  What this means for our families is to surrender them to God.  I cant raise my children to be great alone but I am surrendering them to him for his help.  My hope is one day they will be Godly and great men.  I will release them when they are grown but they will always be my own!

Thanks for indulging me about “Family” after all, where would we be without it!  Here are some pictures of the rest of our wonderful day.  We went to Liz’s house for a Mothers Day Celebration.  Thank you again Liz!

I had to crop this to get my one Mothers Day picture with the boys!

Liz and I.

Gavin the Great.

So great that he found a girlfriend. 

He scooted completely under the rocking chair in his attempt to crawl he goes backwards.  Oops!

Bradley and Sophia relaxing after a long day of partying and playing. 

Oh, and my gift from Bradley.  So sweet.  The hands are cute but I think this might be the last year I want to see his feet on paper.  I think my first baby is growing up.  Feet and all.